Connect with Us

Federal Way police, community rally to help U-Haul theft victim | Photos

Lee Emory-Rosengreen, 70, (center) stands with Federal Way police officers. The officers hauled and moved furniture and other items into Emory-Rosengreen's newly rented apartment on Thursday, after someone stole her U-Haul at a Federal Way motel on Sunday. The U-Haul contained her husband's ashes.

After the U-Haul with nearly all her possessions was stolen from a motel — including the remains of her late husband — a little light was shined on Lee Emory-Rosengreen's life this week, thanks to the help of various organizations and businesses in Federal Way.

According to Federal Way Police Department spokesperson Cathy Schrock, three organizations, along with the police department, were able to help Emory-Rosengreen start to put things back together.

“Deseret Industries donated a new twin mattress and box spring, bedding and a multitude of kitchen supplies and a lamp,” Schrock wrote in an email to the Mirror. “The King County Multi-Service Center put us in touch with Hart Insurance. The company was moving locations in Federal Way and they donated a couch, a TV, two lamps and pictures for the wall and dresser.”

Federal Way Lt. Raymond Bunk, along with officers George Green, Shawn Warrick and property evidence supervisor Johnny Hernandez helped move all the new items into Emory-Rosengreen’s new apartment.

“I was just absolutely flabbergasted,” said Emory-Rosengreen, 70. “… I just didn’t know police did that. It was just amazing that they brought sheets and towels, a bed and a chest of drawers to put the clothes that I don’t have anymore but the bare essentials. It was just wonderful.”

After her husband died in June, she left Arizona and drove for four days to Federal Way, where the U-Haul with her belongings was stolen from Super Eight Motel on Sunday.

Schrock indicated that the investigation into the U-Haul theft is still ongoing, but noted that the U-Haul van was spotted on video turning east onto South 348th Street at about 3:41 a.m. on Wednesday.

We encourage an open exchange of ideas on this story's topic, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. Personal attacks, inappropriate language, and off-topic comments may be removed, and comment privileges revoked, per our Terms of Use. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.